Stories from a real life cowpuncher that will give you a smile and a glimpse of God.

Peace, Plain and Simple

by Jake Hershey on January 20, 2013

It freakin’ tears me up to see good people, especially ones that I know personally, with no real peace in their life. I have been around and come across some people and things lately that I can’t get outta my head. It’s buggin’ the snot outta me. There are a lot of people alive today who live every single day with no peace in their life. I’m not talking about peace between husband and wife, father and son, boss and employee, etc. I’m talkin’ about inner peace. I’ve tried to come up with some kind of humorous or witty analogy to get across what God’s been tellin’ me to write about but I got nothin’. This is serious stuff. It’s the difference between enjoying life or just going through the motions and trying to make it through another day. But like I said, I can’t come up with a good story…so I’m just gonna tell you what I know to be true. Somebody reading this needs to hear it, or it wouldn’t be buggin’ the snot outta me.

There is such a thing as inner peace. It comes from God. I can’t explain it. Matter of fact, the bible says that it surpasses all understanding. But it’s real. God’s word says it’s real. That means that it is. Period.

If you have it, you know what I’m talking about. If you don’t, I sure hope you get it. God wants you to have it. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done in your past. I don’t care how bad you think you were….and neither does God. That’s why Jesus came to earth and willingly gave his life. He did that as a sacrifice for your sins. He did that as a sacrifice for anybody that chooses to believe in Him. God’s word says it. That means it’s true. Period.

I’ve done a lot of wild, crazy, fun, stupid stuff in my life. I’ve done things some people would never consider doing. There are folks who have done a lot worse than me, too. Either way, it doesn’t matter. When you choose to believe in Jesus and ask for forgiveness of your sins, that’s it. From that point on, when God looks at you, he doesn’t see your sin. He sees the sacrifice Jesus made for you.

God doesn’t want you to live a life of misery, pain or unhappiness. He made you for a reason. He made you the way you are for a reason. All of the hopes, desires, talents, abilities and dreams you have came from Him. The void that you’re trying to fill with booze, dope, sex, food, exercise, sport, money, possessions, etc., can and will never be filled by anything but Him. That’s what inner peace is. It’s being comfortable in who you are, where you are and most importantly where you’re going.

I’ve got all different kinds of friends. Some are from the old days. They think I’m a “bible beater” or a “Jesus freak”. Some are extremely clean living Christians. They think I should clean myself up some more or quit preaching and writing until I do. Maybe they’re both right. The important thing is, I don’t care what they or anyone else thinks of me. And neither will you, if you have the inner peace that comes from God.

It’s not about pride. It’s not about what anyone else thinks of you. It’s about what God thinks of you. It’s about having a living and active relationship with your Creator. It’s about always tryin’ to be more like Jesus, but not allowing yourself to be condemned by yourself for what you’ve done, or what other people say or think about you.

If you’ve been reading this and you feel like somethin’ needs to change, that’s the Holy Spirit talkin’ to ya. I’m nobody special…I’m not smarter or better than anyone else. But I do have that inner peace. I know it’s real. I know God wants you to have it, too. If somethin’ is tellin’ you things need to change, don’t listen to me. Listen to that somethin’…and get that peace.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Well said, my friend! Although sometimes we are like a dog with a bone. God gives us peace about something and we dig it back up and worry over it for a while. Philipians 4:4-7 got us through some tough times, rejoice and give it to God.

Brian Becker

im onna em Jake to an extent — I got peace of mind that my sins were forgivin — but those sins or at least somma my actions in the past have left me with a coupla situations at present that I jus cant seem ta see the end of — so my Faith gets shakin some — then I gotta regroup and take a run at it agin — gits tiresome — but we’re tryin – All I can do I guess — and thanks Cory for that passage – I have verses 13 and 19 marked in my Good Book but missed 4 to 7 — obliged

Cory Johnson

Brian, we leaned on that one pretty heavy when my wife was going through cancer. Sure makes it alot easier if you have some peace, knowin’ that God is in control….and I’m not.